Gisborne Boys' High School First XV first five Ruan Ludwig has halfback Coen Theros-Brown in support as he finds space against Lindisfarne College at the Rectory fields on Saturday. GBHS started another busy year of rugby with a 45-38 win. Photo / Mahinerangi Tawhai
Gisborne Boys' High School First XV first five Ruan Ludwig has halfback Coen Theros-Brown in support as he finds space against Lindisfarne College at the Rectory fields on Saturday. GBHS started another busy year of rugby with a 45-38 win. Photo / Mahinerangi Tawhai
Gisborne Boys’ High School First XV beat Lindisfarne College 45-38 in a thriller at the Rectory on Saturday.
The Tom Cairns-coached, Max Hammond-led GBHS crew outgunned their Hawke’s Bay opposites seven tries to six.
Running first-five Ruan Ludwig, with a double, lock ManoaNairoroi, centre Tana-Boy Haerewa, right wing Kruze Pomana, left wing Darius Kiwara and openside flanker Maddy Symes, dotted down for the home team.
Ludwig landed five conversions and split the defence on multiple occasions in a game that went from end to end, with both teams showing plenty of flair.
The visitors started hard and fast - centre Kakano Taylor scoring the opening try in the third minute.
From the outset, GBHS set a solid platform at scrum time and equalised in the 13th minute through the dynamic Nairoroi after good support play and quick hands,
Ludwig converted, GBHS went further ahead with a converted try in the 16th minute, but Lindisfarne replied two minutes later with a seven-pointer of their own to reduce the deficit to 14-12.
Lindisfarne halfback Ardie Jay Smith gave a sensational pass for fullback Reid Palmer to cross in the 26th minute and reclam the lead, and second five Sam Britten’s conversion made it 19-14 to the visitors.
Second five Manawanui Stewart about to move the ball on in Gisborne Boys' High's First XV rugby clash against Lindisfarne College in Gisborne. Photo / Mahinerangi Tawhai
The home team levelled it with a try and went into halftime 24-19 up after Kiwara made an electrifying burst and Haerewa scored.
A minute after the resumption, Lindisfarne scored in the left corner to tie it up again.
GBHS responded immediately, Ludwig leaving both support players and would-be tacklers in his wake as he flew in to score at the other end of the ground, much to the delight of the crowd. He converted for 31-24.
Lindisfarne drew level with a converted try only for a flying Kiwara to score out wide and Ludwig’s conversion made it 38-31 seconds from the third-quarter break.
Relentless fetcher Symes, after seven phases of engine-room play, scored his side’s seventh and final try, which Ludwig converted for 45-31.
The visitors dug deep to find a sixth try, which was converted.
The game was a great advertisement for open, skilful, schoolboy rugby.
Hammond commented on the quickness, linkage and interplay between forwards and backs. They created space, were penetrative and took the majority of the opportunities they had.
GBHS head coach Tom Cairns was pleased with their opening performance.
“The boys have been training hard, working well and they deserved that win. It was a great way for them to start their season ... they played good rugby.”
The game was well-controlled by Poverty Bay referee Ben Holt.
Gisborne’s next game is away to Mount Maunganui College on Saturday.
